Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya were subbed out for a considerable amount of time during the second innings of the Asia Cup Super Four fixture versus Sri Lanka in Dubai due to cramps, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel informed. While Abhishek seems to be pulling up alright, Hardik will be assessed on Saturday ahead of the marquee final against Pakistan on Sunday.
“Hardik, I know we’ll assess sort of tonight and tomorrow morning and we’ll make a call on that. Abhishek is fine,” Morkel stated after India won the Super Over. “Both of them were just struggling with cramps.”
Pandya left the field after bowling a solitary over, the first of the innings wherein he claimed the wicket of Kusal Mendis, while Abhishek fielded for just above nine overs before going off the field. Earlier, he scored 61 off 31 balls and looked India’s best batter again by a margin. He did not walk out to bat during the Super Over, with Shubman Gill partnering captain Suryakumar Yadav in the middle.
First of the night 👌
Hardik Pandya strikes in the very first over 🙌
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With a belated finish to this Super Four match against Sri Lanka and a quick turnaround before the big game on Sunday, Morkel confirmed that India won’t be having a training session on Saturday. Pakistan, meanwhile, have scheduled practice on Saturday from 6-9 pm local time at the ICC Academy, as per Cricbuzz.
“The key for the boys is to rest,” Morkel said of India’s preparation for the big final. “They’re already all in the ice baths and the recovery sort of started straight away after the game. And the best way to recover is sleep and to stay off your feet. So hopefully they can all get a good night’s sleep tonight.
“When they wake up tomorrow, I’m pretty sure there will be a pool session, an individual pool session for the guys organized. And then from there, it’s just getting a flush from the masseuses, getting massages, and getting themselves mentally ready for a big battle on Sunday.
“Like I said, it’s a quick turnaround, so playing this smart is going to be key. But there will certainly be no training.”
